Welcome! We regret to inform you that the Injury Board National News Desk has been discontinued. Feel free to browse around and enjoy our previously published articles, or visit The Injury Blog Network for the latest in personal injury news.

The highest levels (28.0 ng/mL) of vitamin D were found in whites while the lowest levels (15.5 ng/mL ) were found in blacks and intermediate levels in Mexican-Americans.

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

While the findings are suggestive that vitamin D supplements may be helpful, Reis warns that more research is needed to determine if that would reduce heart disease risk and diabetes.

“Before recommendations can be made for vitamin D in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, clinical trials designed to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on heart disease factors in adolescents needs to be conducted,” said Reis in a news release.

Robert H. Eckel, MD, president of the American Heart Association says, supplements may not be the most effective way to get vitamin D but rather a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Several recent studies have suggested vitamin D may offer a host of other health benefits, including protecting against various cancers such as breast and colon cancer, tuberculosis, and other diseases.

How the vitamin works is not entirely understood, but it may have some influence on regulating blood pressure, inflammation, or calcification of coronary arteries.

“Vitamin D plays an essential role in human health, particularly in bone health. Other roles are continually emerging,” Reis said.

Getting The Sunshine Vitamin

Vitamin D deficiency likely results from staying out of the sun.

Sunshine exposure allows the body to create its own vitamin D. Ten minutes between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on skin without sunscreen should be adequate. Darker skin people need slightly more exposure. Beyond 15 or 30 minutes, sunscreen should be added.

1 Comment

Posted by AuburnThursday, March 12, 2009 2:48 PM EST

For at least tens years reports showing the beneficial effects of higher levels of 25(OH)D conclude with something like "the findings are suggestive that vitamin D supplements may be helpful, _____ warns that more research is needed to determine if that would reduce heart disease risk and diabetes (or whatever other disease is reduced by vitamin D)." Is this because treating disease is hughly profitable but preventing disease is not?

Comments for this article are closed.

About the National News Desk

Our mission is to seek the complete truth and provide a full and fair account of the events and issues that surround personal safety, accident prevention, and injury recovery. We are committed to serving the public with honesty and integrity in these efforts.

Subscribe to Blog Updates

Enter your email address if you would like to receive email notifications when
comments are made on this post.

Who We AreThe Legal Examiner offers both bloggers and readers the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions on all things law. From news on current legislative efforts to practical guidance on everyday legal issues, The Legal Examiner will have it covered. Learn More